Invalid s bath-tub



(No Hodel.)

M. O. RUFPNER. INVALIDS BATH TUB.

No. 573,625. Patented Deo. 22, 1896.

Tua Noam; PETERS co, PHoTaLv'rHcA. wAsmNm-cn. o c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARGARET O. RUFFNER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

INVALIDS BATH-TU B.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 573,625, dated December 22, 1896.

Application iiled March 2, 1896. Serial No. 581,609. (No model.)

To @ZZ luft/)771, it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, MARGARET O. RUFFNER, of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Invalids7 Bath-Tubs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to an improved invalids bath-tub; and it consists in the novel construction hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of my invention is to provide a bath-tub that may be used in giving an invalid or patient a bath Without necessitating his removal from the bed.

A further Object of my invention is to provide an iniiatable bath-tub which While deiiated may be located or laid out fiat on the bed occupied by the patient, and after said patient has been located in or upon the deiiated tub the same may be inflated so as to surround or inclose said patient, thus allowing the invalid or patient to be given a bath Without being raised or removed from the bed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in perspective of my improved bath-tub. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken approximately on the indicated line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately on the indicated line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. at is a cross-sectional view analogous to Fig. 3, but showing the bath-tub deflated and lying flat upon the bed.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, l indicates the body of the tub, the same being of the usual form and constructed of rubber or analogous material. Formed integral with and extending entirely around the top edges of the Walls of said body l is a tubular body 2, that is constructed of the same material as is said body l, and located upon said tubular body 21at/anydesired point is a valve 3, normally c osed by a cap l, said valve being of the form commonly used on inflatable devices.

Located at any suitable point at the foot of the body l of the tub is an eXteriorly-screwthreaded discharge-nipple 5, the same being normally closed by a cap 5.

Formed integral with the bottom of th e body l and extending upwardly a portion of the Way on the Wall at the head end of the body l of the tub is a section of material 6, which when the tub is inflated or in use acts as a pillow or head-rest'for the patient. By the location of this section of material 6 in the tub the space 7 is formed at the head end of said tub. Formed integral with the head-Wall of the body of the tub and connecting this space 7 With the tubular body 2 is a tubular body 8.'

Formed integral with theexterior faces of the sides and foot of the body of the tub at suitable distances apart are tubular bodies 9, that communicate With the tubular body 2 and extend from th ence downwardly to the bottom of the body of the tub.

In the practical use of my improved bathtub the same is, While in a deiiated condition, located flat upon the bed occupied by the patient, after which said patient is moved onto said deflated tub in such a position as that the tubular body 2 surrounds or incloses said patient. The cap 4 is now removed from the valve 3 and the nozzle of an air-pump of any suitable construction is applied to said valve, and as said air-pump is manipulated in the usual manner the tubular body 2, the air-space 7, and tubular bodies 9 are all iniiatcd, which inflation will cause the tubular bodies 9 to assume a perpendicular position which will cause the walls of the tub to assume practically the same position. By a further action of the air-pump the air Within the tubular bodies and space 7 may be compressed, Which will very rigidly retain the tub in its proper form, after which the nozzle of the pump is removed from the valve 3 andthe cap a applied to said valve. The cap 5a is nonT located upon the nipple 5, after which the Water used in the bath maybe discharged into the tub in any suitable manner, said tub now being occupied by the patient. After the patient has been bathed in the proper manner the cap 5 is removed from the nipple 5 and one end of a flexible connection is applied to the nipple 5, and the Water Within the said tub can be in this manner drawn off, after which the cap 4; is removed from the airvalve 3 and the tub deflated. -Said deated tub is noiv removed from beneath the patient and the operation is complete.

A bath-tub of my improved construction is especially applicable for use in hospitals, in-

irm'arics, ibo., or where the patientis obliged to always remain in a recumbent position. Said bath-tub is simple, durable, readily inflated or deflated, and may be Very easily and expeditiously manipulated While a patient is located therein or removed therefrom.

I claiml. A bath-tub constructed of rubber or analogous material having a tubular body eX- tending` around its upper edge, and verticallyarranged tubular bodies on its side Walls, the said tubular bodies capable of being,` inflated.

2. A bath-tub for invalids, &c., comprising,` a body constructed of rubber or analogous material, a tubular inflatable body formed integral with and extending,` around the upper edge of the irst-mentioned body, a series of tubular bodies formed integral with theside Walls of the first-mentioned bodyv and communicating with the before-mentioned tubular body, an auxiliary section located at the head end of the body of the tub, the space beneath which communicates with the firstmentioned tubular body, an air-valve through which the tubular bodies are inflated, and a discharge-valve located in the body ofthe tub. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARGARET O. RUFFNER. Vitnesses:

ALBERT J. MCOAULEY, JOHN C. HIGDoN. 

